TITLE: How to evaluate indeterminate form of a limit
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: I can't evaluate indeterminate form of a limit like this:
$$\lim \limits_{x\to \infty} \left (\frac {x-1}{x+4}\right)^{3x+2}$$
I tried to solve this problem by multiplying fractions' top and bottom by the conjugate of the denominator. I did it many times but I don't have any success and I even don't know if this way right or wrong. 
How this limit can be solved?

REPLY [6 votes]: It will be easier to rewrite this limit in the form:
$$ \lim_{x} \left( \frac{1-1/x}{1+4/x} \right)^{3x+2}. $$
Now, it will suffice to learn how to compute limits of the form:
$$ \lim_{x} (1+a/x)^x.$$
This is not very difficult. You can show, for example, that $\ln(1+a/x) = a/x + O(1/x^2)$, so $1+a/x = e^{a/x + O(1/x^2)}$, and finally $(1+a/x)^x = e^{a+O(1/x)}$. Therefore, $\lim_{x} (1+a/x)^x = e^a$. Applying this in the limit you want to compute, we get:
$$\lim_{x} \left( \frac{1-1/x}{1+4/x} \right)^{3x+2} = \left(\frac{e^{-1}}{e^4}\right)^3= 1/e^{15}$$.

Note that the "big O" notation was used. Vaguely speaking, $O(1/x^2)$ stands for a function that tends to $0$ at least as fast as $1/x^2$ does for $x \to \infty$.

REPLY [3 votes]: Hint :
Given limit is of the form  $ 1^\infty $, It's a indeterminate form.
You can have a look of this to find the limit in such cases.
Why is $1^{\infty}$ considered to be an indeterminate form